Bath and North East Somerset is on the cusp of significant change, with three substantial planning applications filed within a single week, proposing over 500 new homes in the region. This surge in housing proposals is part of a wider push by the government to increase housing supply, prompting local authorities like Bath and North East Somerset Council to manage ambitious development targets.
The ambitious proposals include diverse housing types, ranging from student flats to traditional family homes and innovative co-living spaces. Developer Bathford Partners has applied for permission to convert Grosvenor House, an historic building near the Lower Bristol Road, into 103 student flats arranged in cluster flats and duplexes. Originally a railway goods shed dating back to 1876, Grosvenor House was repurposed in the 1990s as office space. The area around it is rapidly evolving, with several buildings transitioning to residential and student accommodation. However, concerns have been raised about creating a “student campus by stealth,” reflecting worries about the concentration of student housing in the area. The council’s economic development team has also objected to this plan due to the anticipated loss of office space that currently supports around 148 full-time jobs, although the developer argues the building has seen minimal office use for years.
In the village of Timsbury, Waddeton Park Ltd seeks to build 170 homes on Emlett Field, featuring a mix of one to four-bedroom houses and apartments. This development would allocate 40% of the homes as affordable housing and promises considerable public open space and parkland. Despite these community benefits, local residents have voiced strong opposition, citing concerns over the strain on village amenities and local infrastructure, with 87 objections recorded and no registered support.
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Perhaps the most innovative of the applications comes from BC Bath Ltd, proposing a large co-living development with 272 flats across four buildings on the Upper Bristol Road by Windsor Bridge. This riverside site has remained mostly unused for two decades. Unlike traditional flats, these residences would emphasize shared living, featuring communal kitchens, dining areas, lounges, a gym, co-working spaces, and even a cinema/events room. The development aims to foster a vibrant community through a blend of affordable, stylish accommodation and shared lifestyle amenities, targeting residents seeking a dynamic, social environment.
All three planning applications are currently open for public comment on the council’s planning portal, with decisions expected in the coming months. These developments represent a significant step in addressing the housing needs of Bath and its surrounding areas while stimulating debate about the city’s growth and character.